RuPaul pulled out one hell of a twist to open season 13 of Drag Race, pitting the cast against each other in instant lip-sync battles and delivering “The Pork Chop” to half of the queens. While this made for an entertaining and suspenseful premiere, it’s a hard act to follow and “Condragulations” suffers from having to finish up the premiere’s lingering business before starting its main action. Sticking with the Porkchopped queens, with a quick tease reassuring viewers that the elimination is not quite what it seemed, would have made for a more cohesive and satisfying narrative. Aside from this, “Condragulations” is a rather straightforward half-cast spotlight episode. Not all of the queens shine as brightly as they did in “The Pork Chop,” but there’s a lot of talent in the workroom and season 13 is still poised to be one to remember.
The episode begins right where the premiere left off, with Joey, Denali, Tamisha, Utica, Rosé, Kahmora, and Elliott stewing in the Porkchop Loading Dock. They don’t like the position they’re in, having to vote one queen out, but as Joey says, they did sign up for this. The first vote is a tie, with Elliott and Utica the unfortunate winners. That means it’s time for a runoff. The anxiety builds as the queens vote again, but as viewers will later be informed, the tie-breaking vote is unanimous: Elliott has been Porkchopped a second time. Defeated and emotional, Elliott walks out in a daze. A few of the queens look troubled, but Rosé is already going for a cutthroat edit, celebrating having one fewer queen between her and the crown.
Over in the workroom, the winning queens skip in and react to the start of their first full day. The winning queens already suspect the others may be back at some point, but they’re happy to consider themselves the official top six of season 13. As any alumnus would tell them, it’s not so easy. The RuMail siren goes off and Ru teases the upcoming episode before heading into the workroom in a fabulous cream animal print suit and Stetson. The queens are less than thrilled to hear they’ll be joined by another contestant: Elliott with 2 Ts. Elliott’s entrance is treated as a reveal, but because only Tina has met him previously, and in drag, no one recognizes him. It’s a minor blip, however, and the episode moves right along.
Ru gives a speech about none of the over 160 queens who have competed on Drag Race being losers, shouting out first-ever eliminated queen Victoria “Porkchop” Parker, as well as prominent first-queens-out Shangela and Vanjie. “Don’t let anyone make you feel like a loser” is a wonderful sentiment, but it rings rather hollow after what Ru and the producers just put half the cast through. With his speech out of the way, Ru introduces the first mini challenge. The queens will be putting on a runway show, modeling two looks each: a lady-like daytime look and a sexy nighttime look. The queens spring into action, excitedly taking their places at the mirror and getting ready to paint.
Gottmik is living his Drag Race fantasy, enjoying actually being in this moment that he’s dreamed about. Kandy sets up his station next to Symone and LaLa and immediately brings up Elliott’s return. These queens do not trust him, suspecting a spy in their midst. Tina later addresses this, getting the full tea about how Elliott wound up with their group. If they knew he’d been voted out by the Porkchopped queens right from the jump, he likely would have received a warmer reception. Instead, he gets off to a shakier start, stirring up some drama by poking Kandy about the history of queens with drag family ties to past contestants getting eliminated early. The shade hits a bit too close to home and Elliott has even fewer fans in the workroom as they finish getting ready.
On the runway, the queens start with Daytime 2021. Gottmik looks fantastic in a bright latex dress, sky blue with clouds on the top, a rainbow on the skirt, and carrying a sun clutch. Kandy’s look is puzzling, a red dress with puffed, off-the-shoulder sleeves, a gauzy train, and gold and silver embellishments around the neckline. Nothing about it says daytime, but she’s definitely feeling herself. LaLa looks fabulous in a flowing halter dress with an autumnal, green and white fabric and dark brown to platinum braids. Olivia is a blast from the past in a ’60s-inspired butter yellow and lilac dress, red high-pony wig, and cute triangle glasses. She’s carrying another tiny purse, so it looks like this may be a staple of hers. Next is Symone, who works the runway in a bold, ’90s-inspired look. It has blue, pink, yellow, and brown horizontal stripes and she’s serving the combination blazer, skirt, pants, and cape. Her hair is a bit much, but it doesn’t really matter when you’re strutting like she is. Tina’s back in her traditional orange and red, a cute and flirty part tutu, part Dior outfit with long sleeves and a big bow. It’s far more stylish than her entrance look and she looks great. Last is Elliott, in a long red dress with puffed sleeves, a black corset, and a red beret over long, blonde hair. She looks good, but a definite step down from some of the others.
Next is Nighttime 2021. Gottmik contrasts her first look with a dramatic black gown. She’s full vamp with a massive cutout over the right side of her chest and a pasty over her nipple, as well as a pearl choker and black wavy wig. She looks great. Kandy goes kooky with a fun devil-inspired look with shoulder horns and a blonde wig, more costume than fashion. LaLa’s nighttime look is terrific, a black pleather top and mini skirt with a massive chest cutout and gold mesh shirt. Her thigh-high boots and red wig complete the look, a totally different feel from her daytime ensemble. Olivia also makes sure to change up her looks, wearing a fitted, beaded burgundy dress with plenty of cutouts and a curvy, asymmetrical design. Symone goes for a gathered and draped golden outer dress for her second look, with an orange top and a short, braided wig. Tina’s second look is latex, with a bright yellow skirt, orange puffed sleeve top, and red halter and thigh-high boots. She’s the latest queen to pull out a massive braid and she goes a bit overboard playing with it as she walks. Last is Elliott, who has the same silhouette for her night look as her red day look. This time she’s in black, though, with a top hat and massive feathers and sporting bright red hair.
Back in the workroom, the queens de-drag and Ru announces the maxi challenge. They’ll be writing original verses to Ru’s “Condragulations” and coming up with their own choreography. It looks like guest judge Jamal Sims won’t be coaching after all. Writing proves to be quite the challenge for most of the queens, but Olivia is excited. He mentioned in the premiere that he’s a pianist, but it turns out he’s also a composer. He’s practically beaming, thrilled to have been given a maxi challenge he should be able to excel in.
On the main stage, the queens are ready to start their dance rehearsal, but no one steps up to choreograph. Apparently Elliott is the only dancer in the group and he’s in no rush to take charge after the reception he’s received. LaLa is not feeling the group’s choreography—his reactions are a gift—and as the queens continue to get stuck in the weeds, Elliott gets more and more frustrated. He finally chimes in and offers a few suggestions, to Tina’s irritation, and eventually, the group moves on. Gottmik struggles to keep up, thrown because he hadn’t realized everyone would hear his verse during their rehearsal. His lyrics center on his gender but he hasn’t had the chance to talk about it with any of the queens yet. He’s not sure how he’ll be received and this brings old insecurities rushing back, making it almost impossible to focus. He’s in trouble. Rehearsal wraps up and while this may be a fake out, the queens do not seem ready.
The next day, the queens head into the workroom and start painting, getting ready for their performance. Olivia talks with Mik about the rehearsal and he opens up about being thrown by his verse and feeling his gender dysphoria come rushing back. Olivia’s wonderfully supportive. They go over pronouns—both queens use he/him pronouns out of drag and she/her pronouns in drag—and Mik talks about how frustrating it is to have people misgender his drag persona, meaning well but missing the point. He’s just like any of the other queens in the room, and should be treated as such. As they talk, Mik settles in and feels much more himself, the confident queen from the premiere. It’s great to see.
Elsewhere in the workroom, LaLa, Symone, and Kandy talk about shrugging off mistakes with confidence—foreshadowing!—and Tina asks Elliott about what happened with the rest of the eliminated queens. Elliott fills them all in and the winning queens start piecing together that the rest of the Porkchopped queens will be back, and likely soon. The energy darkens when Kandy reminds everyone they’re heading into elimination that evening. The queens take turns asking who they’d lipstick and send home and the there’s a clear consensus: Tina and Mik. Olivia’s a bit ruffled that she’s not perceived as a threat, and on that second bit of foreshadowing, the episode moves to the maxi challenge.
Ru heads out on the main stage in a sequined purple gown looking absolutely fantastic. She introduces guest judge Jamal Sims, in a delightful grey and black ensemble with a red statement tie. He’s just on judging duty this episode, though based on that rehearsal, some of the queens may have preferred a guiding hand with their choreography. The performance begins and, after a somewhat random bit of large silver ball-ography, the queens dive in. Gottmik is up first and her lyrics are short, but effective. She plays with space a bit and so while she doesn’t get much out, what she does say comes through clearly. Kandy, in contrast, spits out complicated lyrics that nearly get jumbled. Slightly clearer enunciation would have helped, but she makes herself understood and it’s a fun verse. LaLa keeps a steady rhythm for her verse, which gives it a sense of propulsion and encourages the audience to bop along.
Olivia sings, immediately standing out from the others, and is the best yet in her performance. Symone follows her well, giving Olivia a run for her money. Her lyrics aren’t great, but she brings the same charisma to her performance that she brought to “Pleasure Principle” and is another clear standout. Tina, on the other hand, gets overly complicated with her lyrics. She executes them pretty well, but there are too many syllables and her verse lacks focus. Elliott is last and her lyrics, while a bit on the nose with the rhyming, are entertaining and have a clear thread. She definitely acquits herself well, matching the rest of the winners team. The choreography, well, it’s not great. But it’s okay. Most of the queens stay centered in their performances, with the exception of Mik and Kandy, who look lost and nervous at various points. The judges seem to be having fun, though, and that’s what really matters.
On the runway, Category is: Lamé You Stay. Gottmik looks fantastic in a copper lamé creation she compares to an alien. If you’re going to have a weak main stage performance, come back with a look like that. Kandy’s look is much simpler, channeling Austin Powers’ fembots in lavender lamé and faux fur. LaLa’s a vision in gold lamé, with a flounced and ruffled coat over gold pants. Olivia practically glows with Old Hollywood glam in a white and light green lamé dress and fabulous up-do. Symone stands out with a completely different take, coming out as a boxer in a red and gold lamé robe with red gloves, long blonde French braids, and even a cut above her eye. It’s a creative take on the category and one she executes very well. Tina continues the trend, ditching her red, orange, and yellow for silver lamé as the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. Her look is impeccable, down to her axe handbag and reveal of a bright red beaded heart inside her jacket. In comparison, Elliott’s green and blue one-shoulder ruffled lamé mini dress is rather expected, though it is lovely. These queens did not come to play on the runway and anyone who doesn’t have fashion as a strength will need to watch out.
The judges are rather effusive with their critiques, giving only a few gentle suggestions to Mik and Kandy to find more confidence, because they’re terrific. In a performance, there are no mistakes, Jamal says. It doesn’t matter what the choreo is, if you run into trouble, you have to sell it as intentional. Kandy also gets slightly read for her day look. The rest of the queens receive varying levels of praise—the judges like Tina’s verse quite a bit more than this viewer does—and it’s hard to tell who will wind up in the top. When the judges finish deliberating, Olivia and Symone are named the top two, and to Mik and Kandy’s relief, the rest are all safe. There won’t be an elimination this episode. Instead, Olivia and Symone will lip-sync for a $5000 tip to Dua Lipa’s “Break My Heart.” Both are in the zone and hungry for the win. Olivia starts to go for comedy early, but changes her mind, while Symone focuses on channeling the song’s energy throughout. Olivia is good, but her tonal back and forth is jarring, while Symone’s interpretation is more cohesive and effortless. She’s the winner, an early frontrunner and one of the top queens to watch.
If season 12 is in any indication, the Porkchopped queens will be up next episode, run through the same challenges with enough tweaks to keep things interesting. There’s plenty of talent in the workroom this season, but this premiere has shown a gap in most of the winning queens’ armor. The opportunity is there for the Porkchopped queens to out-perform them with their group number. Three episodes is a long time without an elimination, but as long as the queens keep delivering at this level, the producers should feel free to keep pushing off that first elimination.
Stray observations
- I mentioned Ru and Jamal’s looks earlier, but I’m also enjoying Michelle playing with her streak and Ross’ suit is once again on point. I also really liked the lip-sync song, which I wasn’t familiar with.
- It has been a strange and very stressful week and I wasn’t prepared for how glad I was to spend some time with Drag Race, particularly a non-elimination episode.
- I’m enjoying all the extra time with the queens, but the second group is going to need to bring it in their performance. Season 12’s double premiere worked like gangbusters because the first group performance was so strong, particularly Widow. This one gets by on personality and some excellent looks. Hopefully that will change next episode.
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Still not sold on this format. There was a weird dynamic where some the “winning queens” felt like they were owed something for winning one, arbitrary and on-the-spot lipsync. Particularly not sure why we are expected to think that the first thing the group of queens would do is not ask Eliott “what the hell happened and why did you come back?” and instead think they’re some sort of mole? There’s literally cameras all around you, what would Eliott tell Ru that production couldn’t whisper into her ear?Anyways, the runways and looks were largely well executed. Good for Eliott holding their own being put in that situation. Major props to Mik for coming back to own that runway after what happened in the rehearsal. Olivia just exudes radiance that I didn’t care if her gown wasn’t super flashy. Symone and Lala definitely have strong stage presences as well and own all of it. I’m glad the Michelle mentioned Tina’s theme-colored looks because a full season of red/orange/yellow runways would be exhausting (I also wasn’t as sold on makeup and hair for the tinman but this early in the season wouldn’t be as picked on so I understand the general praise). With Kandy, I don’t think a lack of confidence will ever be the issue holding her back. Being sort of a “known entity” she came in with big expectations (as Eliott not-so tactfully pointed out), but that first lip sync win also must have blown smoke up her ass the way she was acting in the work room this week. She’s a big personality, but she’s also right to think that the other queens can just as easily take that spotlight back. Lastly, thought it was a bit weird Jamal was there but wasn’t involved with the choreography (and it showed). Hopefully with smaller number of guest hosts slated for this season it means he will be back later for a choreo challenge.
It’s something, at least, that all of the queens still seem pretty likeable two weeks in. Even Rose, who seems insistent on wanting a Brita edit, is presenting herself with a wink and a nod. At least, I hope she is. At the very least, she seems to be a laidback cutthroat bitch.
Agreed, it will be interesting to see if they learned from Brita’s edit last season that being a “big name in NYC” only gives you so much leeway, particularly if you are vocally critical of younger queens but underperform yourself. They laid the groundwork last episode for some Olivia vs Tina/Rose type of rivalries, but Eliott seemed to take all of Tina’s attention this episode. Expecting something to happen when the whole group gets reunited and the stakes get higher with actual eliminations on the line.
Yeah I really didn’t get the spy/mole idea since, as you point out, they’re already all being filmed 24 hours a day. And I agree it seemed strange, and smacked of extreme producer interference, that the winning queens didn’t simply ask Eliott what happened to her and the other queens. And even moreso it strains credulity that some of the queens seem to genuinely believe that all of the Porkchop queens other than Eliott are actually really eliminated, like Ru and the producers would just randomly get rid of six episodes
With Kandy, I don’t think a lack of confidence will ever be the issue holding her back.Except for the fact that you can tell that she’s actually really, really insecure about herself and her position in the competition by the fact that she overreacted to what was really a mild comment. I mean, this was hardly a “you had rolls all over your back!!” moment. And after one main challenge! I don’t really like her that much as a contestant, but this is still a pretty sad state of affairs for Ms. Kandy Muse.
I was not a fan of Tina’s silver makeup. I don’t say this to be cruel, but she doesn’t have the best skin, and a face full of silver makeup is only going to accentuate that, so I think it made it look messily applied.
Yeah I’m with you it was a really pleasant episode and particularly welcome after this insane week but I’m already getting a bit tired at having no eliminations and no explanation as to what the structure of the season is going to be for two weeks in a row.
I like the mystery, but love the eliminations. Tina brought an axe to the stage — use it! I’m glad Eliott stayed, though, and I continue to be entranced by k.d. lang Gottmik.
I continue to be entranced by k.d. lang Gottmik.OMG, Gottmik out of drag totally looks like a male KD Lang; how did I not see that before???
I must say that I’m really beginning to miss the rough and raw edges of the queens’ unpolished vocal performances that this show proudly showcased in earlier seasons. While it’s true that this level of sweetening is easier on the ears, there was something very endearing hearing Coco and Alyssa screech and caterwaul their way through “Can I get an Amen”. It’s more difficult to create a connection with a contestant when all performances are polished and perfected without seeing any struggle involved in the effort.
On a similar note, I think they stuffed too much into this episode. I’m That Bitch was so, so good (although Kate was right to point out Widow being a major reason) and this was a let down in comparison lyrically and choreographically. Not only was I confused when we went right from them writing in the work room to fully recorded music on the stage, we missed really any explanation for why the queens chose the lyrics they did (Mik’s being in confessionals and Untucked). Usually we’d get something from them in their “recording session” or we would get something from the judges, but I feel like they mostly focused on their looks and some of the choreo? Part of that might also be that their lines were just so short.
Short, and pretty mediocre. “I’m that Bitch” was spectacular and exploded with energy, and featured some great lyrics. And all of the queens were great in that number, even if few matched Widow’s and Heidi’s moves. In other words: Season 12: rehearsed and flawless. Season 13: rehearsed and lifeless. It definitely felt like something that’s going to be dusted off and played for the “Werk the World Tour”, and not a moment of joyous exaltation that will net you six emmy nominations.
I would add that the Canada’s “sorry not sorry” was barely rehearsed but it was my favourite of them all.
I really don’t understand why they did the mini challenge. The maxi challenge barely made sense to watch it was so edited
3 weeks without an elimination and the entire cast of queens not getting together in the same room until episode of 4 is momentum killing for me. Granted it gives us more time to get to know the queens before the first chop, but the thrill of the start of the season also comes from having a queen who’s dream is cut short. Postponing your inevitable fate until the end of episode 4 is also a luxury many a queen never had. In short i’m bummed that there will be no elimination until one third of the season.
but the thrill of the start of the season also comes from having a queen who’s dream is cut short.
Hee! Damn, that’s cold. Totally true, but cold.I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge Ru as a marketing genius and strategist: the continuing success of this show, in this format, has created a business monopoly that the robber barons would have envied. It’s a self-sustaining pyramid scheme that, surprisingly, enriches all workers and makes participation necessary because of its popularity. Everyone ends up working for Ru, in the WoW Empire, because there’s no competition, and she can give you an offer you can’t refuse. She’s Drag Corleone! Can an amibitious young queen even think of a career without appearing on Drag Race? And what happens to those who say no?
I LOVED Eliott after that shade that she threw without mercy to a Kandy Ho who, despite being talented, is starting to annoy me (Kandy’s final runway was hideous – well, all of them). Olivia and Symone are great but Olivia… doesn’t walk very well?I love them all. The s&m Hello Dolly from Eliott was out of this world, Gottmik is a delight all of the time.
My random top 3: Symone, Gottmik and Utica.
Can’t argue with that list. I secretly want to see Rose (damn that accent!) be bitchy to other contestants before she gets a comeuppance.
I LOVED Eliott after that shade that she threwCome now: let’s all use a little of the knowledge that we’ve learned from this show over the years. The proper idiom, according to one Akeria Chanel Davenport, is “clearing the air”. It does not just apply to farts and wigs!I think Olivia’s great, but she really didn’t connect to the emotional core of that song at all, unless toothy smiles and pageant waves are a secret code to Dua Lipa’s fan base.
Sorry, I didn’t renew my gaypass for many years so I forgot what I learned for my previous exam. Shame on me!
Sorry, I didn’t renew my gaypassWait…isn’t that what we do here every week?!
“Her hair is a bit much, but it doesn’t really matter when you’re strutting like she is.”That was Player’s Club hair. The point of it is to be too much ;)Symone ate up this episode. Her fun looks that celebrate blackness, her charm, her confidence, her whole persona…. she’s one of the biggest breakout forces I’ve seen on this show. I cant wait to see what else she pulls out. I’m here for all of it.
I wonder how much of the format change is “Well, we’re dragging you out to California, making you quarantine for two weeks, and then placing you in a production bubble; it would be real messed up to send you home after one episode.”Things are moving slowly but I don’t really have a problem with that, just because Drag Race is less about winning the actual prize and more about establishing your brand in front of the viewers. I keep hoping for an All Stars season when it’s just a bunch of entertaining queens who goof off for 10 episodes and no one gets eliminated, and at the end Ru says “The winner is…who cares?!”
at the end Ru says “The winner is…who cares?!”Hasn’t Ru actually done this for every All Stars season except 2?
Oooh, shady, but true!
I think they very much cared that Trixie won since Trixie sells more merchandise than Shangela.
I never really enjoy those little mini runways and then have to watch a runway again shortly after lol. Quite like Symone so far tho!
Elliott, Symone (she fucking rocks. Come for me!), Olivia and Mik were all exceptional. Already love Mik, especially with his comeback to the rehearsal. I actually went “Oh no!” when they played his verse without warning – his reaction was something I’ve seen far too many times with friends of mine to being deadnamed in public, but Olivia’s conversation with him later in the Werkroom was lovely. As for looks – I’d say that Mik’s alien-look was something that was very, very familiar to me. I’d say it was Mugler-inspired, but I’m damned sure I’ve seen something like that years ago. It was gorgeous nonetheless. Symone’s lame-look was genius – whilst the rest mostly go for predictable glam, she went both campy and gorgeous. Elliott’s night-time look was gorgeous too. My sister wants Mik’s daytime dress, LOL.As for the queens who irked me so far – Kandy’s a bit too much all mouth and no action. Honey, if that costume (it wasn’t fashion, darling) has a hole for a tail, wear the fucking tail. Tina Burner is someone I’m going to end up disliking as much as I dislike Roxxxy Andrews or Pearl (gorgeous out of drag and, er, that was it). As for the other lot, I really don’t like Rose so far. I mean, sure out of drag she’s not bad-looking, but I still can’t get over that truly fucking spectacularly ugly pink wig she was wearing. I mean, christ, love. Do a Coco Chanel, look at yourself in the mirror before you head out and take something off.But yeah, Ru picked the right two for the winners this week – Symone is great and Olivia is just adorable and fun. Top two for the crown?
Can we go ahead and put an end to blogs and podcasts tripping over themselves trying to correctly gender Gottmik? I get that it’s well intentioned, but you still got it wrong, and it implies that a trans person’s gender identity is some complicated puzzle, and that there is an “otherness” to Gottmik.
I’m not loving this new format, as it really makes the overall momentum lag; but I guess that’s an inevitable result of filming during a pandemic.That said, I am loving some Simone, LaLaRi and Olivia, while Tina and Kandy lost of little of their luster for me this week; the former being a little too overbearing, and the latter turning out to be a little too insecure – like all that braggadocio confidence she came in with is actually just overcompensation. Hopefully that’s not the case and she gets out of her own head, asap.
La La Ri needs to stop borrowing her hair from the Dida Ritz collection, though. Those wigs are flatter than an Alyssa Edwards acting challenge! Girl…
I hear ya, but good wigs cost money, honey; and LLR strikes me as another loveable country queen without a lot of monetary resources when this season filmed.
As long as she keeps delivering strong performances and a likeable personality, I can overlook that shortcoming for now.
Agreed, and I always cheer the queens who are making it on this show without a lot of resources. But even cheap wigs can be styled well, and she proved in her beautiful runway look that she can turn it out.
Symone was basically doing a blonde version of the Pabllo Vittar look on KO. With that and the Gisele inspired entrance look, it’s two Brazilian girls she has paid hommage to! Also, I’m glad Kate got to know Dua Lipa’s New hit, this entire album is awesome.Im loving Gottmik and Symone so far, let’s see what the other queens bring next.